Barcodes have been around for decades, but their relevance in business has only increased in recent years. Owing to the advancement of technology, barcodes have become an essential tool for businesses big and small, especially when it concerns inventory management. However, with so many different types of barcodes available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best for your business. In this article, we'll explore the different types of barcodes for inventory management and help you determine which one is right for your business.
Types of Barcodes for Inventory Management
Here’s a list of different types of barcodes used for business inventory management.
UPC Barcodes
UPC barcodes are perhaps the most widely recognized barcode type. They are used primarily in the retail industry and consist of a series of numbers and bars that can be scanned quickly and easily by a barcode scanner. UPC barcodes are ideal for tracking products and sales in a retail environment, as they allow for quick and accurate inventory tracking.
EAN Barcodes
EAN barcodes are similar to UPC barcodes but are more commonly used outside of the United States. They are designed to be more flexible and can accommodate different types of information, including pricing and manufacturer information. EAN barcodes are also more customizable than UPC barcodes, allowing businesses to create unique barcodes for their products.
Code 39 Barcodes
Code 39 barcodes are alphanumeric in nature, used to encode both letters and numbers. They are commonly used in industrial settings and are ideal for tracking inventory in warehouses and distribution centers. Code 39 barcodes are easy to read and can be read by most barcode scanners.
Code 128 Barcodes
Code 128 barcodes are a more advanced barcode type that can encode a significant amount of data, including both letters and numbers. They are commonly used in logistics and transportation industries and are ideal for tracking shipments and packages. Code 128 barcodes are also more secure than other barcode types, making them an excellent choice for businesses that deal with sensitive or confidential information.
QR Codes
While the above four are 1D barcodes, QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned using a smartphone or tablet camera. They are ideal for businesses that want to provide customers with additional information about their products or services. QR codes can be customized to include links to websites, videos, or other digital content, making them a valuable marketing tool for businesses.
Which Barcode is Best for Inventory Management of Your Business?
The answer depends on several factors, including:
Size of your business
Industry you operate in
Your specific inventory management needs
For businesses that operate in the retail industry, UPC barcodes are likely the best choice, as they are widely recognized and accepted. However, for businesses that operate in other industries, such as logistics or transportation, Code 128 barcodes may be the better option, as they offer more advanced features and increased security. If you simply want barcodes for IT asset tracking across your organization, both 1D and 2D barcodes will suffice, based on the asset data you want to tag and track.
Wrapping Up
There is no underplaying the significance of barcodes for inventory management. But choosing a barcode type is not enough, as you also need to get software that will allow you to generate the barcodes and tag your assets for better visibility in tracking. AssetRemix by AdminRemix comes with a built-in barcode generator and scanner. It streamlines the complex task of tagging, scanning, and tracking assets across the organization. You can try the trial version to manage up to 50 devices and see how it works out for you.